Absolute Batman #5 (2025)

Batman rides through Gotham to an agreed meeting with Black Mask, observed on the way by the Party Animals and Alfred. Alfred's handlers call him and tell him they have what they need and he should leave Gotham; Alfred says that he will but continues watching Bruce. Meanwhile at City Hall, Gordon and Martha watch the news report that Bullock has endorsed Hamilton Hill. Gordon is deeply hurt by his friend's betrayal and apologises to Martha for bringing her into a failing administration, but she says that they haven't lost yet. Martha reminds him of how they first met when he arrested her at a protest, but ultimately let her go rather than charge her, and says that he is one of the few good people in Gotham. Gordon also tells her he's sorry that they won't be able to light the "Memorial Light" to commemorate the zoo shooting that year and asks her to tell Bruce the same thing. Bruce meets with Black Mask on the roof of a building, while Party Animals and Alfred watch from surrounding rooftops. Sionis tells Bruce that the money was wired that morning to the account he named, and Bruce tells him he has already used it. It is revealed that Bruce withdrew all the money and used it to make a bat symbol out of cash on the Memorial Light, a huge spotlight in the abandoned zoo. He remotely activates the light and a bat-signal illuminates the night sky. Realising Batman isn't backing down Sionis declares the deal off. The Party Animals charge Bruce en-masse but he is able to fight them off. Black Mask orders snipers on the surrounding roofs to fire on his own men, and when Batman tries to shield some of them from the shots the Party Animals trap him in nets. Batman grabs Black Mask but Sionis casually dislocates his arm. Bruce reveals that everything has been broadcast to the news stations and sets the money alight, believing that his actions will inspire the people of Gotham to stand against the Party Animals. However, Sionis tells him that he isn't the hero, the only hero in this story is money. The Party Animals beat, stab and set him on fire, then push him off the roof. Bruce manages to slow his fall with a parachute but still crashes hard to the ground and starts fleeing on foot. The GCPD spot him and give chase with tanks and attack helicopters. Barbara Gordon follows him into a parking garage and hits him with her squad car, knocking off his mask. She gets out and points her gun at him as he climbs into a manhole, saying to stop or she'll shoot. Bruce simply tells her to shoot him and she lowers her weapon. He disappears underground, abandoning his cowl as he does so, and she radios in that she lost him. Black Mask speaks directly into Batman's hidden camera, expounding his nihilistic philosophy to the people of Gotham. He tells them that the wealthy destroyed the world long ago, and they are all struggling daily to maintain a system that gives them nothing. He encourages them to take the opportunity to grab whatever pleasure they can before everything collapses as his men place crates around the city, saying the money he promised Batman is now up for grabs. Alfred goes to the Batcave where Bruce is sewing up his own wounds. He tells Bruce that he has no idea what he's done. Bruce says that he managed to place a tracker on Black Mask and asks Alfred to set his arm, but Alfred says he will never help Bruce again and leaves, saying what happens next is on his head. Meanwhile on the street, Gordon and Martha spot a group of men opening one of the crates. They look in another one and see it is filled with guns and masks. Three of the men, now armed, advance on them.